If I moved to California.............

[ajordan1975]

What steps would need to be taken to register my F250 Power Stroke and 4runner from out of state? I've tried to look it up on line, but it's like trying to read a foreign language..
I live in Texas where they do not require emissions checks on diesel vehicles, and if you know someone you don't even have to have emissions tested on other vehicles. Also in TX once a vehicle turns 25 only thing required is a safety inspection (no more emissions test).
I almost feel that it would be easiest to sell everything and buy once I arrive there. However I'm quite attached to both rides.
The 4runner is a 1990, 22re w/ a removed cat. Other then adding the cat back to the exhaust would I need to do anything else?
My Ford is a stock truck.

[HogCanyonHopper]

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm 

[ajordan1975]

Seen this and it seemed to easy. Guess that's all it takes.

[fordh8r]

Just remember, if they make you weigh it, take out as much stuff as you can without it looking like it got stripped. Remove the spare tire and any stuff behind the seat and weigh it with as little fuel in the tank too. I believe it has something to do with how they tax you based on the vehicle's weight, IIRC. Just FYI.

[ajordan1975]

Thanks for the weight info.

[fordh8r]

No problem. hope the move is smooth for ya. 8)

[Stocker]

Just remember, if they make you weigh it, take out as much stuff as you can without it looking like it got stripped. Remove the spare tire and any stuff behind the seat and weigh it with as little fuel in the tank too. I believe it has something to do with how they tax you based on the vehicle's weight, IIRC. Just FYI.

Good point. The break is every 1,000 pounds (unladen weight) so if you need to drop, say, 800# to hit the next lower bracket, but you can only find 400# you can take off, don't even bother.

If it has a full-time camper shell you won't need commercial plates (and the added weight fee). But then you're not allowed to remove the shell and actually use it like a truck (with stuff in the bed). Goofy law if you ask me, just another way for California to vacuum out your wallet.


Edit: found this table:
[table shows the weight fee for non-electric powered commercial motor vehicle with declared gross vehicle weight of 10,00 pounds or less equipped with no more than two axles.]
* Unladen Weight                                       Fee
Less than 3,000 lbs.                                  $ 8
3,000 lbs. to and including 4,000 lbs.         24
4,001 lbs. to and including 5,000 lbs.         80
5,001 lbs. to and including 6,000 lbs.       154
6,001 lbs. to and including 7,000 lbs.       204
7,001 lbs. to and including 8,000 lbs.       257
8,001 lbs. to and including 9,000 lbs.       308
9,001 lbs. to and including 10,000 lbs.     360

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc9400.htm

[fordh8r]

Those are some pretty significant increases after about 5K lbs. But unless you can weigh it ahead of time you only can improve your chances of coming in under the next bracket by removing as much stuff as practical for the initial weigh in.

[emsvitil]

I don't think they actually weigh them.

They go with the manufacturers stated weight.

[TimberlineBryce]

You probly won't have to smog for two years since you didnt sell them...

[emsvitil]

You probly won't have to smog for two years since you didnt sell them...

Nope,  coming in state requires smog test.

[dustingro]

When I moved to Sac the only problem I had with my 85 22re was base timing was way off. They really go by the book on everything, so if any emissions equip is missing It will need to be reinstalled. Ran like poo until it passed the sniffer and I put it back.  I had a motor swapped Accord that I couldn't license for 2 years until I rounded up all the right stuff. Good news is no safety inspections! In california it is much more important to be smog free than safe.

[zembalayan]

I don't think they actually weigh them.

They go with the manufacturers stated weight.

No.  I have tried that, asking the same.  In my experience, they actually do make you weigh them.  It's not hard though because certified weightmasters seemed to be located all over.  I just had one for weighed $10 at the Tri-Valley Bekins in Livermore.

[zembalayan]

It was a 1984 stock longbed BTW, and it weighed in at 3,300 lbs. which seemed heavier than what I would expect.

[emsvitil]

When I bought it new, they didn't weigh it.

The other possibility was GVW - payload.........

[emsvitil]

The 4runner won't be a problem, as it isn't considered a truck.

But F250s are heavy, and it would suck to be at x001......

[zembalayan]

The 4runner won't be a problem, as it isn't considered a truck.

As you mention, my 4Runner never required a weight certificate, and its registered as a regular passenger vehicle.

When I bought it new, they didn't weigh it.

The other possibility was GVW - payload.........

I think buying new and bringing an old out of state (never been in the CA system) truck into CA are what is different. 

[ajordan1975]

So what if all emmision stuff is there and it won't pass smog? What then? Am I basically f'ed?
Do they smog diesels or just go off weight?

[Rocksurfer]

If I'm not mistaken you can put a camper shell on the bed and avoid the weight fees, but don't get caught with it off or it is a big fine. I didn't have to pay the fees on my Ford Dually since I had not only a camper on it but mainly due to the handicap plates. Someone had mentioned in that thread (I"ll look for it) that you could avoid fees with the shell too.

[Rocksurfer]

Found it here's the link:

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=82841.0

[Rocksurfer]

Oh and one more thing why, why in the world would you want to move here.

[ajordan1975]

Oh and one more thing why, why in the world would you want to move here.

I lived up in The Bay Area about 10 years ago and have wanted to move back ever since. The wife's moms side of the family is scattered all around there too. She really wants to move there. I'm down for it. Plus the wheeling there is so much better then here in Tx. We have some great spots but not nearly the amount of stuff as y'all have.

[Sparkplug]

A 4runner should be registered as a truck, thats how they entered the united states, without rear seats. If its reg as a passenger vehicle, something got switched up along the way and good for you.

All an out of state vehicle needs is a smog, a brake and lamp inspection, and a weigh in. They dont weigh them here, they go by what the door tag says or vin information says. They walk outside and look at your lights and make you turn them on. They want a smog. They dont care at all about any fees the rig has in other states. Ive done this more than once

The diesel truck, I have no clue on

edit; 1st gen 4runners entered the states without seats, 2nd gen runners very well may be reg originally as passenger vehicles, never owned a soccer mom ride before

[fordh8r]

If I'm not mistaken you can put a camper shell on the bed and avoid the weight fees, but don't get caught with it off or it is a big fine. I didn't have to pay the fees on my Ford Dually since I had not only a camper on it but mainly due to the handicap plates. Someone had mentioned in that thread (I"ll look for it) that you could avoid fees with the shell too.

With exception to having Handicap plates on a pick up truck, my understanding to this is not just having the shell but also having passenger seats with approved seat belts to prove that it is a passenger vehicle and not a vehicle for hauling pay loads. I haven't looked into this peronally or heard any different in recent years so you may have to investigate further.

A 4runner should be registered as a truck, thats how they entered the united states, without rear seats.

This may be true, but no matter the labeling on any paper work, the thing that matters most is the license plate configuration...(I.E.- #L##### = commercial   or   #LLL### = Passenger and as of 2010/11 it is #####L# for commercial plate configurations. Trailers are also different. Just look at the plate configuration and that will tell you what it will be, commercial or passenger. This is how you'll get busted if you have passenger plates on a pick up and no shell. Any CHP would instantly recognize the incorrect plate and would be cause for stopping you.  I can't say that I've ever seen a 4Runner with commercial plates seeing as it was never produced with an open bed and it may have to exceed a certain weight (which I doubt it does) if it was ever to be considered a cargo type vehicle as some full size vans are designated.

The diesel truck, I have no clue on

This is the one in question. The 4Runner was never an issue as for the "weigh in" because it wouldn't be weighed for the fact that it has a factory built camper shell.

So what if all emmision stuff is there and it won't pass smog? What then? Am I basically f'ed?
Do they smog diesels or just go off weight?

No, you won't be  you may have to get an extension which will allow you to still operate your vehicle while needing any repairs so you can retest. Chances are if you have everything there and in working order it should pass. Just be sure it is in good tune and you change your oil before the test. Also be sure to get the vehicle to a solid operating temp. DON'T just drive it over there cold and have it tested. You want your CAT to be good and hot for the test. 15 minutes or more of driving should get you ready for that. 

As for smogging diesels, you're in luck! They just most recently started sending privately owned diesel vehicles to the smog shop for diesles with a GVW of less than 15K LBS. Anything 15K LBS and more goes through the standard "Smoke Check" program for commercially owned vehicles only.

The test is simple as long as all your required emissions components are there and you DO NOT see any visible smoke from the tail pipe. There is no "Sniffer" test.  If that is all in order, you should be good to go. 

When I bought it new, they didn't weigh it.

The other possibility was GVW - payload.........

We used to weigh them when they arrived at the dealership. So you wouldn't likely see that process, if it ever got weighed. That happens at the dealership level since they take initial possesion and that cost is then passed on to you, the consumer. They do this because of the difference in options such as trim levels (strip models VS. Fully loaded or having a diesel engine) and what have you. This probably why you typically do not see fully loaded work vehicles because it keeps the company's operating costs down. Not to mention, the blatant disregard a lot of employees have for a vehicle that is not their own.


Make sense now?     

[ajordan1975]

So if my F250 is just a DD and used to haul my 4runner I have to register it as a commercial vehicle?? It's just a personal truck w/ no camper shell, or bed cover. I use it to drive to work, haul the family, and haul the 4runner to the trails.
What about a car hauler trailer? Does that also have to be registered as a commercial trailer?

[fordh8r]

Yes, any open bed pick up will be registered as a commercial vehicle. Even a Toyota pick up! Because it has the capability of carrying loads for the sole purpose of making money. Ergo, the term "Pay Load". Trailers are a completely different deal since they are not motorized vehicles and since private trailers are not typically operated on a daily basis. Trailers aren't too expensive to own in Ca and with a PTI (Permanent Trailer Identification) typ reg, you pay the fee that is due and it is good for 5 years. That has been done for a little over 10 years now. Not sure what sorta "cut offs" or break points there may be for different weight ranges of trailers. But it shouldn't be too bad and I don't believe you'll have to weigh that.

[ajordan1975]

Yes, any open bed pick up will be registered as a commercial vehicle. Even a Toyota pick up! Because it has the capability of carrying loads for the sole purpose of making money. Ergo, the term "Pay Load". Trailers are a completely different deal since they are not motorized vehicles and since private trailers are not typically operated on a daily basis. Trailers aren't too expensive to own in Ca and with a PTI (Permanent Trailer Identification) typ reg, you pay the fee that is due and it is good for 5 years. That has been done for a little over 10 years now. Not sure what sorta "cut offs" or break points there may be for different weight ranges of trailers. But it shouldn't be too bad and I don't believe you'll have to weigh that.

Right on......... Pretty    that a pick-up has to be registered as a commercial vehicle. Looks like i might have to find a camper shell to put on it.

Thanks for all the advise!

[fordh8r]

Just offering what might be of help. I would look further into the camper shell thing though. But if you plan on hauling anything ever....I wouldn't go that route. I don't know what the fines could be if you got caught for that, but I can only imagine you will be getting bent over for it.

[emsvitil]

What year is the F250?

They only check diesel trucks if they're OBD II.  (I think that means 96+)


You might slip by with a shell if you get personalized plates.     They can't tell if you're commercial or not until you get pulled over.

[fordh8r]

They only check diesel trucks if they're OBD II.  (I think that means 96+)

This sounds about right. 

You might slip by with a shell if you get personalized plates.     They can't tell if you're commercial or not until you get pulled over.

The only thing I can add to this is that I pay just over $200 a year for my reg on my '78 Chevy. But you do pay extra for the Personalized plates. I don't recall the exact amount but I think it's $45 in addition to your regular reg costs. The only thing he'll have to do is initially get the regular Pass. car plates and still have to order the personalized plates. He'll just have to run with the shell until those plates arrive. But for the amount of money in the difference, I'm not sure that's something I would want to risk getting caught for. I just pay the money and go legit. But that's just me.